Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge Trek

15 days | From £1199 | Guided Group Departures

Our favourite walking holiday in the Himalayas, taking us into the "Throne Room of Mountain Gods". For majestic high mountain scenery and picturesque landscapes, this trek is hard to beat. To plan your trek in the Himalayas contact one of our specialist trekking consultants for first hand advice.

15 days | From £1199 | Guided Group Departures

The magnificent mountain amphitheatre of 'The Sanctuary'

Himalayan vistas and pretty villages

Watch the Annapurnas illuminate at sunrise from Poon Hill

This wonderful Himalayan trekking adventure to the wondrous Annapurna Sanctuary rightfully deserves its reputation as a classic and is widely regarded as one of the easier (but equally great!) Himalayan treks.

Passing through delightful villages with neatly terraced rice fields to forests of rhododendron and oak, awe-inspiring mountain panoramas unfold each day with the rising sun. Heading further up the Modi Khola into bamboo woodlands, you emerge through a previously secret portal to enter an amazing throne room of mountain gods, the Annapurna Sanctuary. Here at the base of snowcovered behemoths, the mountains of the Annapurna are revealed in close up detail and clarity.

Day 1. Depart UK

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Kathmandu.

Day 2. Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to the group hotel

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the group hotel. In the evening there will be a pre-trek briefing.

Day 3. Fly to Pokhara; transfer to Nayapul, the trek begins with an ascent to Ulleri

A short but dramatic flight takes you to Pokhara, from where you'll transfer to the trailhead at Nayapul and commence your trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Follow the river's course to Birethanti and ascend on a stepped trail to reach the village of Hille. Cross a suspension bridge and ascend through an area of dense forest to reach Ulleri.

Day 4. Full day's walking to reach Ghorepani

Trek along an undulating trail over small hills to ascend another stepped trail, passing teahouses and small tribal homes. Enjoy glimpses of the Annapurna South and move higher into a wooded area with large bamboo trees before emerging at Nangathanti. Climb more steps and then reach Ghorepani.

Day 5. Summit - Poon Hill just before first light

View the spectacle of the early morning light turning the snow-covered Himalaya pink as the sun rises and a magnificent mountain panorama unfolds. Enjoy close-up views of Annapurna South and the satellite peak of Hiunchuli, as well as the iconic Fishtail and, on clear days, Pokhara and the lake there. Return to Ghorepani and follow a trail along a ridgeline offering magnificent views of the Annapurna massif. Descend to a small settlement and enter a forested gorge, where you'll descend a little more before making the short upward climb to Tadapani.

Day 6. Climb up to Chomrong via scenic forest routes

Descend through rhododendron forest and see the hills that form one side of the scenic Modi Khola Valley. Cross the Kimrong Khola and a short ascent brings you into the Modi Khola Valley, which ultimately leads to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Pass through Daaulu and arrive at Chomrong.

Day 7. Cross into the upper reaches of the Modi Khola

The trail descends to cross the Chomrong Khola, and then climbs around into the Modi Khola Valley and up to the main ridge high up above the river. Reach the village of Sinuwa and enjoy views of Fishtail's twin summits, and follow the valley steadily uphill to Dobhan and onwards to Himalayan Hotel.

Day 8. A short trek up to Machhapuchhare Base Camp

Gain altitude as you move ever deeper into the realms of the mountain gods. Pass the Hinko Cave and trek across the upper reaches of the Modi Khola to reach a grass-covered moraine with a number of lodges in an area referred to as Machhapuchhare Base Camp.

Day 9. A dramatic walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary

Walk to one of the most dramatic mountain environments on earth. Climb upwards to reach the throne room of the mountain gods, for an unbelievable sight in this impressive amphitheatre of Himalayan mountains - see the peaks of Hiunchuli, Annapurna I and more. The rumble of rock and ice slides coming off the Annapurna South frequently breaks the silence of the Sanctuary. Afterwards trek back to Dovan.

Day 10. Initially following the ascent route, then detour and descend to Bamboo

From Dovan trek to Jhinu Dhada. Afterwards relax in the hot springs.

Day 11. Descend to Ghandruk

Enter Kimrong Khola Valley where the trail evens out for easier walking and continue your journey in short, steep switchbacks and through open fields to the 'Gurung' village of Ghandruk.

Day 12. Descend from Ghandruk towards the valley of the Modi Khola; transfer to Pokhara

Descend from Ghandruk on a wide paved trail into lush landscapes to reach the banks of the Modi Khola River. Continue to Birethanti and back to the road head to transfer to the laidback lakeside resort area on the outskirts of Pokhara. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore the area, you could also take a boat out on the lake or go for a swim.

Day 13. Fly to Kathmandu, explore the city

Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, with the rest of the day free for last minute shopping and exploring this beautiful old city.

Day 14. Depart Kathmandu

Depart Kathmandu for your flight back to the UK.

Day 15. Arrive back in the UK

Dependent upon flight schedules your flight will arrive back in the UK today.

For a detailed itinerary and more information please download the trip dossier.

Trip grade: B to C - Moderate to demanding.

Duration: 15 days

Trip code: TANN

GROUP SIZE : 4 - 12

Max Altitude: 4,130m

Meals: 3 breakfasts inc (allow approx £25 per day for meals)

Accommodation: Hotel x 3, trekking lodges x 9

Departs: September until April

OVERSEAS JOINING POINT : Kathmandu

IMPORTANT : Make sure your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run before you purchase your air tickets and make any other travel arrangements